Moderate euphoria - such is the state of affairs in and around the Turkish national football team ahead of the European Championship.
The Turks are not a top team, and it's no secret, but the third appearance at the continental championships in a row shows that there is a continuity of results, even though the Federation there changed coaches practically every two years...
Now the recognized Italian striker is on the bench Vincenzo Montella, who succeeded the German in September last year Stefan Kunac after most of the players - mainly the leading ones - asked the head of the federation for the 61-year-old expert to leave the national team.
The Italian brought the qualification to an end in the right way - it was in the group ahead of the favorites Croatia, which it even defeated in Osijek in October 2023 with a goal by the offensive player Galatasaray. Baris Jilmaz.
The best result at the European championships was achieved by Turkey in 2008, when it sensationally played in the semi-finals where it was defeated by the host Germany.
The Turks eliminated the Croats in the quarter-finals, and before that they passed a group that included the Portuguese, Czechs and Swiss. Before that, she participated in the Euros in 1996 and 2000 (elimination in the group stage and placement in the quarter-finals), while in 2016 and 2020 she had to be content with performing in the group.
This generation does not have many similarities with the one led by the goalkeeper Rustu Redžber, Hamit Altintop, Arda Turan, Nihat Kaveči and the "emperor" on the bench Fatih Terim, but when it comes to quality - it's definitely there. He profiled himself as a leader Hakan Calhanoglu, who has been playing more quietly in the midfield for the last three seasons at Inter, while Montela should get absolute freedom.
The conception was disrupted by an injury Jaglar Sojunju which is not going to the Euro, and the combination of experience and youth gained a new dimension after the teenagers appeared on the big stage Arda Guler (member of Real Madrid) and Juventus footballer Kenan Yildiz. There are also Irfan Kaveci from Fenebrachce, experienced Yusuf Yazidzi (Lil), left back Because Muldur who has experience playing in Serie A, Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokču...
Turkey opens the European Championship with a duel with the debutant Georgia on June 18 in Dortmund, four days later the rival Portugal, and the last match in the group awaits Montela's team on the 26th of the month when they meet the Czech Republic.
Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Jakir - Dzelik, Demiral, Kadioglu, Muldur - Ozcan, Kokcu - Yildiz, Calhanoglu, Akturkoglu - Tosun.
Turkey and the Euro
Performs so far: 5
Biggest success: Semi-finals, Euro 2008.
Last Euro: Group stage, Euro 2020.
Most EP appearances: Rustu Rechber (11)
Most goals in the European Championship: Semir Senturk (3)
Captain: Hakan Calhanoglu
First Star: Hakan Calhanoglu.
European Championship matches: Georgia (June 18, Dortmund), Portugal (June 22, Dortmund), Czech Republic (June 26, Hamburg).
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